Whimsy.
It’s such a fun word, isn’t it? Associated with children, Alice in Wonderland, animal-shaped objects, and anything similarly delightful. Whimsy has no purpose, no end goal. It is life’s decoration, like the whipped cream on top of a frappuccino: it may not be necessary (does any frap really need more sugar?), but it tastes good. It brings us joy.
Perhaps because it is unnecessary, it is often dismissed as child-like. Suitable for anyone who is actually a child, but rather unseemly for everyone else. Making room for whimsy in your life can invite criticism that you're overly indulgent, or eccentric, or in denial. There is no room, people say, for jabberwockies and puddle-jumping when there are emails to answer and bills to pay.
I beg to differ.
When was the last time you took a bubble bath? A proper one, with lots of hot water and bubbles? You receive extra points if there was a rubber ducky involved, though I realize that’s a high bar. (Although really, why? Why don’t we all have rubber duckies? Is there a law that says only children can enjoy them?) I’m guessing that it was a while ago, because showers are considered de rigeur for adults. Because bubble baths are extra, unnecessary, silly.
Well, they also get you clean and use about as much water as a fifteen-minute shower, and they relax sore muscles. And they’re delightful. Dare I say, they’re even whimsical. So in the name of adding more whimsy to your life, I have a few questions for you.
Do you have access to a bathtub?
Do you have shampoo or body wash?
Do you have half an hour?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, I have a proposition for you. Rather than reading to the end of this post to find out exactly why whimsy is something we should all be adding to our lives, go over to your bathtub. Fill it up with hot water, and while the water is running, add whatever soap you have on hand. Wait until it’s nice and bubbly. Then get in the bath and give yourself some time to enjoy it, whether that be with a book, a glass of wine, a rubber ducky, or nothing at all if you’re a bath purist. By the time you get out of the bath, I can bet that you will see my point.
For those of you who do not have access to a bathtub (my condolences), allow me to continue. I have always been a proponent of bringing whimsical things into daily life, because I find that it makes everyday tasks more enjoyable. The bubble bath is an easy example, because we all need to wash ourselves on a regular basis (unless you are Bigfoot, and living in the wilderness).
Well, taking a bubble bath may not be the fastest way to get clean, but it is certainly more enjoyable than a quick shower. It makes you slow down and appreciate the sensory details of the experience: the temperature of the water, the smell of the soap, the texture of the bubbles. This experience can help you relax and let go of some of the things that were plaguing you before. It may take a bit more time than a shower, but the benefits you receive from spending that time are well worth it. It’s a small but visceral way to improve your life, and it still accomplishes something that you would have needed to do anyways: get clean.
Most whimsical things fall into the same category as bubble baths — they fit into your everyday life, and make things just a little bit better. Like making sure to step on particularly crunchy-looking leaves in the fall, or jumping over puddles when it rains. You need to walk places anyways, why not make it fun? Or maybe you drink tea every day, so what if you found a teacup that you particularly liked and started using it, rather than just using the same interchangeable mugs from Ikea?
An example of some whimsy that I recently brought into my life is a set of mesh laundry bags, which I needed for delicate laundry items. Usually, when I’m sorting my laundry, it’s a hassle to figure out which items will need to go into mesh bags so that they’re protected in the washing machine. But now I have three pastel-colored bags in the shape of a cat, a bear, and an elephant, and I genuinely enjoy using them. They weren’t any more expensive than other bags that I could have bought, and they accomplish the same thing. But they also make me happy.
There are similar opportunities for whimsy in everyone’s lives, as long as people are willing to look for them. The trick, I think, is giving yourself permission to create space for whimsical things and experiences. After all, an appreciation for the whimsical does not mean that you are childish or unintelligent or eccentric. It's a form of self-care. It means that you are aware of the world around you, and taking the extra moment to actively appreciate it. It means using your senses, your imagination, and your appreciation of beauty to see the world in a more flattering light. And goodness knows that we already deal with enough unflattering things in life — politics, commutes, health care, unread emails, bills. Isn’t it high time that we found a way to counter-balance all of that?
Because personally, I don’t think that happiness should be an afterthought. Pleasure and delight should not be dismissed. And whimsy, while it may not be necessary for an adult life, certainly has the potential to improve it.
So why not?
A Few Whimsical Things For Your Reading Pleasure:
Alice in Wonderland by Louis Carroll
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairy Land in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente
“Foolishness? No, It’s Not” by Mary Oliver
A Note From the Writer: I’ve been lucky enough to receive an enthusiastic welcome from the Steemit community, which I’ve noticed comes with a lot of comments! This warms my fuzzy little heart, because it’s always been my dream to have people read and engage with my work. The idea that something I’ve written could start a discussion is absolutely amazing and humbling. Thank you so much for your support, encouragement, and thoughtful responses on previous posts. You've all been so lovely, that I’d like to make a suggestion on this post. If you have any whimsical actions, items, stories, poems, pictures, etc. that you enjoy, would you share them with us? Creating our own treasure trove of whimsy could be kinda fun, don’t you think?
Curious about the photos? I took them on a combination of iphones and my Nikon 5100. Since they are my own work, all the usual copyright rigamarole applies. If you’re curious about the subjects, I’ve listed them from the top of the post: cherry blossoms in Kyoto, a Jizo statue on the island of Miyajima, a hand-painted mandala on the Sunshine Coast in Canada, and an arch from Powerscourt Gardens in Ireland.
Love your writing style. Didn't take your advice for the bath just yet, but I appreciate the reminder to remember whimsy!
Thank you so much! And baths are the best, just saying. ^_^
Love this post and I am a fan of whimsy and the absurd. Because life is absurd and should be appreciated for it as such.
This part resonated:
I'm glad you enjoyed and resonated with the post! Thank you for reading it. :)
What a delightful post! I thoroughly enjoyed it, and methinks you might be a soulmate. I am totally into whimsy, and I am definitely regarded as eccentric. I choose to regard eccentricity as a positive label.
A few years back, I stayed over in a guest house near Lydenburg in Mpumalanga, South Africa. I wish I can remember the name of the place, because it was actually a thoroughly enjoyable stay, even though I was there for work and not for leisure.
The one evening, after dinner, I strolled back to my room through a delightful garden, and I saw the most beautiful fairy. Yes, I did! She danced in the air in front of me, all the way to my room. She was beautiful, with shapely legs and green and purple wings. ...No matter that she turned out to be a huge moth. I loved the moment and I chose to experience the whimsy!
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The first photo is one that I took with my cellphone - not much of a photographer. The second one I got from whatsthatbug.com. Beautiful, isn't she? Look at those shapely legs! Apparently she is called Argema mimosae, or Luna moth. Her name suits her.
That's so cool! Thank you for sharing the story. Yes, I definitely think we may be kindred spirits, if you decided to believe it was a fairy. I remember believing in fairies when I was younger... it was so much fun! I should work on believing in them again, if I can. I've followed you and look forward to seeing what you post in the future.
Thank you! I have followed you as well. I haven't started blogging yet. I am very new on steemit, and for now I am just observing and commenting. However, I will start very soon!
I love taking baths! Post liked it very much! I will often come to read your blog! Tips correct. You need to relax! Thanks for the photos. Beautiful. Cherry blossoms in Kyoto is remarkable. And arch loved it .
Right?! Baths are the best, and I love the GIF you added! Very whimsical~ And I'm glad you enjoyed the post. I've followed you and look forward to seeing what you post in the future, as well.
What a Nice write up...I Enjoyed Reading Through!
Thank you!
I enjoyed reading your post .The way you imagined and how you presented was appreciable. Keep posting more .. Your photography skill is also excellent.. Thankyou for the nice post.
Thank you very much!
I'll appreciate more what I have, after reading your post!! Thank you!
We the community is here to support people like you @theowlhours who put time in bringing the best posts to the community, this is the least we can do to comment upvote and follow good content and authors, but please do not ignore other new comers as well and reward them with comments, upvotes and following as well thanks...
The vote comes after 30 minutes. That's the rule, is not it?
I answer comments as time allows, but my goal is to respond thoughtfully to all readers, and to upvote any content which I admire. But thank you for the reminder.
@hebro I'm glad it resonated with you, and thank you for reading!
Here is my vote!
Thank you!
Good points. Thanks for the advice ill follow and resteem
Thank you for the follow and resteem! I've followed you back, and look forward to seeing future content.
Thanks! A resteem would mean so much to me cuz im still new and my posts dont get seen alot
Composition of your picture is just perfect. I truly liked the colors. Thank you for sharing with us.
Thank you so much! I'm still not super confident in my photography, so your compliment means a lot.
LOVE the pics and compositions thereof. But hey, I am an amateur so don't make too much of my comment & UPVOTE :-)
FOLLOWED
please return the favor.
Thank you so much! I'm glad that you enjoyed the photos. And I've followed you back, as requested 😂
'Whimsical' is also the inspiration behind the creation of famed Popeye character: Wimpy !
I didn't know that! That's great!
you are an amazingly gifted writer
Thank you so much! That's a lovely thing to hear.
:)
Love your writing style :)
Thank you!
Bunga yg sangat indah....
Thank you very much for an enjoyable read!
And thank you for taking the time to read it. :)
"Alice in Wonderland" - our favorite family film, hatter - "charlie chocolate factory" - you have all these characters, the mysterious positive and juiciness of colors in these photos is. Yes! This is my theme - I like.
Those are all such great stories and films! Great to see that other people also enjoy the whimsical aesthetic.
Hi anyx
Support me if you like my page
Folow plz
Hello! Just to clarify: this post wasn't written by anyx, though they did kindly resteem it, so I can understand the confusion. :)
What an interesting concept in today's world, thank you. I too love Whimsy and often practice it by smelling beautiful flowers that overhang the street when everyone else is rushing by. But much more than that as Life needs whimsy, which in Roget's also comes under Ideality, or could be 'stretch of the imagination'. Most readers of Steemit posts will do that every day so you are encouraging them. Well done!
Good post